NEW YORK, CMC – Caribbean-American New York State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham has vowed never to support the closure of a major hospital in Central Brooklyn in the heart of the Caribbean community there.
Residents have called on New York Governor Kathy Hochul and State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King, Jr. to reverse the decision regarding the proposed closure of the hospital.
“I want to address the recent concerns regarding the future of Downstate Hospital. Let me be unequivocal: Closing SUNY Downstate is not an option that is on the table or one that I would ever support,” said Cunningham in a message to constituents.
“However, it’s no secret that Downstate, like many hospitals across our borough and state, faces financial challenges due to Medicare reimbursement rates set by the federal government,” said Cunningham, the son of a Jamaican immigrant mother.
“Designating the hospital as a COVID-only hospital has only exacerbated its financial situation by limiting the procedures performed on the site,” said the representative for the 43rd Assembly District in Central Brooklyn.
He said last month, the governor and chancellor developed a plan they believed would save the institution and provide the quality care the community deserves.
“I have been clear that community input and engagement must be at the forefront of the conversation. I am committed to preserving the healthcare resources and jobs that the institution provides.
“While I am open to a re-imagining process to ensure long-term stability and solvency, I cannot and will not stand for a process that does not put our communities’ needs first,” he said.
The legislator said that he recently introduced legislation with Senator Kevin Parker, the representative for the 21st Senate District in Brooklyn, which would establish a SUNY Downstate Medical Support Fund to provide financial support for infrastructural upgrades and expansion.
Cunningham said this bill would facilitate research and development grants in medical and health-related fields, offer scholarships and financial aid, and support community health initiatives and outreach programs.
In addition, he said the Brooklyn Health Care Commission would be established to examine the system of general hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory and primary care facilities, and medical school facilities in Kings County (Brooklyn) and recommend changes to that system.
“Those two bills, coupled with A07546, authored by Senator (Zellnor) Myrie and me, will develop a sustainability plan for the State University of New York’s Downstate Medical Center,” Cunningham said.
“As the process continues, my fellow elected officials and I will be in close contact with SUNY leadership and the public. The work of governing is challenging and requires the active participation of its citizenry. I will continue to fight for the neighborhoods of Central Brooklyn,” he added.
Last week, Myrie joined colleagues, healthcare workers, and labor leaders in a massive rally in Albany, New York’s capital, in appealing to Hochul and King to halt the proposed closure of SUNY Downstate Hospital.
“Our community, our people, walked past refrigerators with dead people in them; we had doctors who had heart attacks, and you have the temerity to tell us you want us to go; how dear you!” said Myrie, whose grandmother hailed from Jamaica and who represents the 20th Senate District in Central Brooklyn.
“‘ We want you to serve,’ and we serve; and, for that, we get a slap in the face,” said Myrie, noting that “when I had COVID, Downstate saved my life, and you tell us Downstate has to close.
“We reject this plan. And don’t come to Central Brooklyn for votes because this is an election cycle. You will hear from us until justice is done.”
Myrie said SUNY-Downstate – New York City’s only State-run hospital, one of only two regional perinatal centers in Brooklyn – provides care to his most vulnerable constituents.
“In the face of deep healthcare disparities, it is simply unconscionable that the governor and SUNY would propose shuttering Downstate,” he said. “We will stand strongly opposed to any plan that reduces access to care where we know it’s needed most.”
In an e-letter widely circulated by the Action Network, Governor Kathy is urged to “stop SUNY’s ill-conceived plan to shut down the public teaching hospital at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn.
“SUNY’s plan would essentially relegate the safety net hospital to a wing in (the adjacent) Kings County Hospital Center; other health care services would be farmed out to neighboring hospitals,” the letter cautions, adding, “this will result in the closure of SUNY Downstate.”
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